Elysian Exchange: 5 Questions with Ode To Sunday

As friends and I get older, there seems to be a reoccurring theme of pairing down our closets to only the things we truly love, wear on a weekly basis, and will withstand the test of time. Perhaps it’s a result of refining our tastes, or perhaps it’s an overdue abandonment of the fast fashion that many of us grew up with. By foregoing trends and uncovering our own individual styles, we become much more selective of our purchases and begin to build a wardrobe that is a truer reflection of who we are.

I’d be lying if I said this process was easy, but once in a while you stumble upon a company who seems to pluck the sentiment right out of your head. I can say this about a few brands (Elizabeth Suzann, Fog Linen Work, Nido, Han Starnes, Are), but they can usually be counted on one hand. So when I was introduced to Ode to Sunday in my inbox a few weeks back, I knew I’d found a faithful match.

Ode to Sunday is an independent clothing line that manufactures effortless style through socially conscious methods. Based in Lithuania, the brand uses local linen for its low-impact production and characterful imperfections. As the name states, each piece in the collection was dreamed up as an accompaniment to a thoughtful and relaxing Sunday. Much of their story resonated so deeply that I thought it’d be fun to throw a few more questions their way and showcase their beautiful pieces on the site today. So let’s get to it…

1. We love the name you’ve chosen for your clothing line. Can you tell us a bit about its origin and a few of your favorite Sunday rituals?

Coming up with the name wasn’t a spontaneous decision, we thought long and hard about it. We wanted a kind of light feel to it that would spread positive emotions. During the design process, we always thought about — how people spend their time and would like to spend it. We created clothing with comfort and aesthetics in mind that would be cozy to wear and people would feel great in. The whole Ode project is a reminder for myself and for others that at least once a week you should find time to stop, think about your life, if the direction you’re going is the right one, and devote yourself to family and friends.

As for rituals, I just can’t imagine my Sunday without a cup of coffee in bed, a long walk with my dog, and meeting my dearest friends.

2. Whether it’s in your closet or around the home, linen is one of those materials that never seems to go out of style. Why did you choose to work exclusively with the material for the launch of your first collection?

I fell in love with linen a long time ago, I think it’s one of the most luxurious fabrics. I’m fond of its imperfections, raw texture and lived-in appearance — it just feels natural. Then it’s the durability; it’s hard to believe that it actually gets better with age. The more you wear it the softer it becomes, making it more pleasant for your skin. We care that linen is natural, has low-impact production, and doesn’t cause any harm to the environment. We’re also proud that it is our local resource here in Lithuania.

3. The personal stories you share on your website are both inspiring and heartwarming. Do you find yourself looking to the lifestyle of “the everywoman” when it comes to designing your pieces?

We design for the mindful woman, who doesn’t follow trends and is more interested in the authenticity of self. She finds beauty in simple things, has a small wardrobe and understands that mass consumption doesn’t make a person happier.

4. Your appreciation for local resources and historic processes resonated very deeply with us. With the world becoming more technology-driven by the day, why was it important for you to embrace a slower paced and socially conscious method of production?

We have the opportunity to work with local resources and manufacturers, which lets us be involved in the production process and guarantee a high quality of work. We value our local craftsmen and having real communication. We’d like to know the people we work with, their appearance, interests and approach to life — we feel the need for this connection.

5. Lastly, what are five of your favorite people, places or things that are influencing Ode to Sunday currently?

The Elysian Edit is a design, culture and lifestyle website founded by Jessica Comingore. The Elysian Edit explores the art of refined living, and is built on the idea that modest, intentional design can help enrich our lives and elevate our day-to-day.